Universal Orlando Resort (USF, IOA, Epic) Discussion Thread

[ernierocker]

 

Also, the train would only be able to be used by park hoppers. Its just more of an incentive for guests to buy it.

 

If that ends up being the case, then I guarantee you they have an upgrade booth right next to the train station.

 

And I forget, the difference between a 1 day, 1 park ticket and a 1 day, 2 park ticket is only like $15 right? If that is the case, a third ticket option wouldn't make any sense. I was thinking there was a much bigger difference at first.

[BeemerBoy]

Here's an interesting idea, and it's my prediction of what will happen. If the Universal Dubai park project gets back up and running, then they will relocate Dueling Dragons there and expand HarryWorld (whatever) into that section, making a forbidden forest dark ride, maybe. Then with Jaws, I'm guessing that they'll still use the island for a show (maybe waterworld) and replace FearFactor Live with another show. Possibly Men in Black themed. I really want to know how much of this seems plausible to you, so quote and reply.

Zero.

[dandaman]

That's right. Old... and stupid.

 

/Yet still somehow endearing

[ernierocker]

Here's an interesting idea, and it's my prediction of what will happen. If the Universal Dubai park project gets back up and running, then they will relocate Dueling Dragons there and expand HarryWorld (whatever) into that section, making a forbidden forest dark ride, maybe. Then with Jaws, I'm guessing that they'll still use the island for a show (maybe waterworld) and replace FearFactor Live with another show. Possibly Men in Black themed. I really want to know how much of this seems plausible to you, so quote and reply.

 

About as plausible as Michael Jackson making a come back... Too soon?

[djw44]

Them taking out all of the classics is outrageous! First Ghostbusters then King Kong, then BTTF, now Jaws?!?!? I remember when I was 6 being one of the test riders on Jaws. I find it really upsetting that they have gotten rid of everything now pretty much except for ET. Twister, The Mummy and the Simpsons, have nothing on Ghostbusters, King Kong and Back to the Future as far as cultural relevance. I don't understand how Universal could not get creative in making attractions for their newer franchises while preserving the great movie rides they already had.

[SharkTums]

replace FearFactor Live with another show. Possibly Men in Black themed.

 

This is the only part of your crazy idea that seems plausible...mainly because MiB is just falling out of popularity enough for Universal to consider building a show/attraction around it!

[ahecht]

This got me thinking, does Universal really have any bankable franchises these days to use at their parks? Harry Potter's from Warner Bros, The Simpsons are a Fox property, and Transformers was a Dreamworks/Paramount venture. The only Modern Universal franchise I can think of is Mummy. Can we really call the place Universal anymore?

The Fast & Furious, Bourne, and Jurassic Park franchises have upcoming sequels, and only one has a serious theme park presence in Florida.

[robbalvey]

I dunno, I just can't see HP having a presence in both Florida parks.

As much as it sickens me, it's honestly brilliant! There are 7 books worth of material, so I would have to imagine there is plenty of locations that could be worked with. Imagine in the Star Wars universe if one park had Hoth, and the other park had Bespin, and you took a landspeeder to get from area to area.

 

Think about it at Universal. Once you enter the WWOHP at IOA, you can spend the time in there, do all the attractions, etc, then board the train, let's say where the old SInbad theater is now, and that train takes you to the other park, where it drops you off to other location from the Potterverse. (Of course in order to get into that Potterverse, you'll need a two-park, park hopper!)

 

If done right, you could EASILY spend a day only visiting the Potter lands in both parks, and then still have the rest of the parks to explore on another day.

 

I just wonder how much staying power Harry Potter will have in 10 years, now that all the books and movies are done?

[RCFreak]

Men in Black 3 (in 3D) comes out next year...

 

And I'm pretty sure like Star Wars, Fan fiction will keep the brand alive for a long time to come especially with how easy it is to self publish books these days. And of course the eventual special Anniversary re-releases of the movies in a few years in theaters, and the special edition re-releases of the movies on DVD/ Blu-Ray/ Mind meld, and the eventual "re-imagining/ reboot" of the movies. It's typical Hollywood.

Edited December 2, 2011 by RCFreak

[djw44]

I'd imagine a lot, the teens who read the books when they were new are only in their 20s right now and still fanatic about it. Harry Potter right now is still extremely popular with the middle school crowd. I don't see Harry Potter dying out any time soon.

[donkeyman18]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[QueerRudie]

replace FearFactor Live with another show. Possibly Men in Black themed.

 

This is the only part of your crazy idea that seems plausible...mainly because MiB is just falling out of popularity enough for Universal to consider building a show/attraction around it!

 

Actually- it's not as far fetched as possible: MIB 3 is due out this summer. It might make for a decent tie-in.

[SharkTums]

Guys, come on...I was kidding!

 

I know MIB 3 comes out soon, but seriously...do you really think they're going to do a MIB Show!?!?!?

[Jew]

One thing I've learned about ride/show removals: nobody gets upset until it is too late. I imagine Universal has done lots of surveys on the matter, and Jaws probably polled pretty low (it may have always had a longer line...but what did the guests think after they waited an hour for it?) for them to remove it.

 

But now that it will be leaving, everyone will suddenly start to miss it and want it to stay. And then still complain that Universal has "old. And stupid." attractions. So either way UO can't win!

 

I'm personally sad to see it go...it was always fun when you got a good skipper. But I too am guilty of not wanting to wait a long time for it, which means my mindset probably contributed to its demise.

[AstroDan]

Nobody is talking about Space Fantasy. Is it a possibility? I have not been on but from POV's the ride looks absolutely gorgeous.

 

[Movieguy]

Space Fantasy looks a little too Japanese for it to catch on in an American park.

[ernierocker]

 

I just wonder how much staying power Harry Potter will have in 10 years, now that all the books and movies are done?

 

It's hard to predict if the franchise will have the staying power as one like Star Wars, but I would say chances are good that it will remain popular for several years. Just with the sheer number of people that have read the books they could probably keep the place busy just from annual visits by obsessed fans. If this expansion plan comes to fruition, it will only strengthen Potterworld as being a destination in itself (and yes further isolating the actual theme parks it sits in) which can only help its popularity.

 

Compare that to something like Star Tours or Back to the Future, which is/was only a standalone ride and it makes it much easier to keep Potter land from being viewed as old and stale.

Edited December 2, 2011 by ernierocker

[SharkTums]

^^^^It also probably has a LOT to do with MONEY (maintenance costs).

 

Isn't that what they cited last time they tried to close the ride down?

Edited December 2, 2011 by SharkTums

[BaMiTsPaT]

If there is a new Fast and Furious movie coming out soon, I think it would be cool if Universal actually did something with this franchise in the park. A ride like Cars or Test Track would be awesome, but probably not plausible. I can dream though!

[QueerRudie]

 

I just wonder how much staying power Harry Potter will have in 10 years, now that all the books and movies are done?

 

It's hard to predict if the franchise will have the staying power as one like Star Wars, but I would say chances are good that it will remain popular for several years. Just with the sheer number of people that have read the books they could probably keep the place busy just from annual visits by obsessed fans. If this expansion plan comes to fruition, it will only strengthen Potterworld as being a destination in itself (and yes further isolating the actual theme parks it sits in) which can only help its popularity.

 

And that's where I see a serious flaw in their logic/use. I could understand making a theme area with say, one or two rides, but nothing on the lines of what they've done with the HP rethemes. You're looking at a whole different ballgame with an HP theme area, as it tends to overgrow the whole meaning of the word 'Theme Park'- Look at IoA- and how the rest of the park is neglected compared to HP world.

 

If anything, perhaps the better business decision would have been to make HP into a separate paid area- and keep it as that. (I place on my flame-proof undergarmets now). HP, if it CAN stand on it's own merits long-term would then be it's own third ticket park, and not necessarily leave out the rest of the park itself. One could imagine if that were done more interactive attractions than what is currently provided by the existing theme area. Something more akin to an immersive theme park experience, not just a Potterverse.

 

(Just my .04 on it-)

[doublestufforeo]

I honestly think it'd be really cool if they did Transformers with the Potter arm technology.

[BeemerBoy]

I dunno, I just can't see HP having a presence in both Florida parks.

As much as it sickens me, it's honestly brilliant! There are 7 books worth of material, so I would have to imagine there is plenty of locations that could be worked with. Imagine in the Star Wars universe if one park had Hoth, and the other park had Bespin, and you took a landspeeder to get from area to area.

 

Think about it at Universal. Once you enter the WWOHP at IOA, you can spend the time in there, do all the attractions, etc, then board the train, let's say where the old SInbad theater is now, and that train takes you to the other park, where it drops you off to other location from the Potterverse. (Of course in order to get into that Potterverse, you'll need a two-park, park hopper!)

 

If done right, you could EASILY spend a day only visiting the Potter lands in both parks, and then still have the rest of the parks to explore on another day.

It sickens me too, but this is EXACTLY the kind of thinking I'd like to see a place as large as Universal start doing. Even being Harry Potter, the idea of integrating a transportation ride into the connection of two "lands" is the type of thing that would grab my attention, and maybe even warrant another visit. Throw in the Hogwarts Express (that is the name of the train, right?), using technology similar to the Ocean Park Funnicular, and you actually have a winner.

 

It won't happen though.

[cfc]

One thing I've learned about ride/show removals: nobody gets upset until it is too late. I imagine Universal has done lots of surveys on the matter, and Jaws probably polled pretty low (it may have always had a longer line...but what did the guests think after they waited an hour for it?) for them to remove it.

 

But now that it will be leaving, everyone will suddenly start to miss it and want it to stay. And then still complain that Universal has "old. And stupid." attractions. So either way UO can't win!

 

I'm personally sad to see it go...it was always fun when you got a good skipper. But I too am guilty of not wanting to wait a long time for it, which means my mindset probably contributed to its demise.

 

I think Joey sums up the situation pretty well. It's like Big Bad Wolf at Busch Gardens--the ride instantly became "more popular" after they announced it was being removed. I also agree that as much as I liked Jaws, I liked it even more during an RIP tour when I didn't have to wait an hour for it.

[comet]

Not Cool! Totally love this ride . Was always one I looked forward to when visiting Universal. I understand parks must stay fresh and expand, but JAWS!! C'mon Man. I have had my full of butterbeer. I prefer beer without the butter anyways.

[jedimaster1227]

This is the only part of your crazy idea that seems plausible...mainly because MiB is just falling out of popularity enough for Universal to consider building a show/attraction around it!

 

Fist full of WIN!